Page 83 of That Same Old Love

“Mahi, you have already gone through this spiel at Srishti’s party. I don’t understand why my brother dragged me out from my room to listen to the same thing. I’m rather busy now. So if you’ll excuse me… ” Ananya was about to leave.

Mahi didn’t know how to stop her. “No wait. Please let me explain to you why I did it in the first place.”

Ananya briefly glanced at her but didn’t look interested. “I really don’t care why.”

Mahi panicked slightly when she saw Ananya leaving and she blurted out, “I was jealous of you and I wanted to make you miserable.”

Ananya stopped and turned, looking puzzled. “What?Youwere jealous ofme? Do you think anyone would believe that story?” she asked, scoffing.

Mahi shook her head. “Believe me Ananya. I wasn’t just jealous, but wildly resentful of you too. Of your perfect life.”

“What perfect life?” asked Ananya, still looking at Mahi in disbelief.

“You had a loving father, mother and brother. I didn’t. I would sometimes look at your family’s interactions with you and think, ‘they actually like their daughter or sister!’ I would be amazed that they really wanted to spend time with you and know what was happening with you or even genuinely want to help you.”

Ananya was listening to her keenly.

“My mother’s constant comparisons didn’t help. I wanted your life, but couldn’t have it. So I made part of yours hell instead,” said Mahi softly.

“But you had Sidhu,” Ananya stated.

“Yes, Sidhu was in my life during those four years of college. He tried to keep me sane, but I was too messed up anddestructive to ever listen to his reasoning. Each time I saw you, it reminded me of what I was missing. I don’t feel like that anymore, even though I know you still have a perfect family.”

“I don’t have a perfect family Mahi. Not anymore,” said Ananya looking forlorn.

Mahi took that as a cue to explain Sidhu’s presence and Samrat’s harebrained idea to make Ananya jealous enough to talk or meet her husband.

“Ananya, what you saw in front of my house a few minutes ago—”

Ananya raised her hand indicating her to stop. “Mahi, I have started to forgive you for your college stunts a while ago. I cannot forget what you did, but I have nothing against you now and I know you are not in love with Sidhu anymore. Whereas Sidhu… he… ”

Mahi was both overjoyed that Ananya was forgiving her, and frustrated that she still thought Sidhu had feelings towards Mahi. “I spoke to Sidhu a while ago. He told me how much he loves you. I believe him and so should you.”

Ananya shook her head. “Please, while I appreciate your concern, I would prefer it if you didn’t get involved in this matter.”

“Ana—” Mahi broke off when she saw Samrat coming down the stairs to join them.

To Mahi’s horror, he slid his arm around her waist and stood next to her smiling at Ananya.

Ananya’s naturally big eyes grew bigger and wider in shock.

Samrat smiled at his sister. “So Anu. What do you think? Will our parents be okay with the arrangement? I know they will, but I might need your help to convince them just in case they are not too happy.”

“I didn’t get a chance to tell Ananya about us Samrat!” Mahi whisper yelled.

Samrat didn’t look too bothered about it. “That’s okay. We’ll do it now. Anu, Mahi and I are together. We have been seeing each other from the past seven months and have decided to live together as a long term couple. So you’ll end up seeing Mahi at my house whenever you visit me.”

Ananya didn’t quite react like how Samrat thought she would. She glared at both Mahi and Samrat and went into her room to slam the door shut.

Samrat sighed. “She’ll get over it. So anyway, good news is we can spend the night together,” he said huskily.

Mahi was agitated. “Oh my god! She just said she had started to forgive me, and then you come strutting down here to drop another bombshell! She hates me again!”

“No, she doesn’t. And why do you care so much? You were never the kind to care about what anyone thinks of you,” he said, trying to steal a kiss.

She glared at him. “I don’t care what everyone else thinks of me. But I do care whatyourfamily thinks of me.”

He broke into a wide grin. “I’m glad you feel that way, even though it’s a little misguided. Don’t worry, my parents will love you and Anu will get over it soon.”

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